Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 19:28
Published on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 19:28
Written by The Herald-News

Shirley Redstone was a believer in God; she passed away on July 11, 2013, after a struggle with multiple medical problems at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, Mont. She passed 11 days before her 70th birthday. Shirley was the daughter of Fred Shields Sr. and Frances Smith Hitchcock, both deceased. She was born July 22, 1943, in Poplar, Mont.She attended a number of schools including Pierre Indian School in Pierre, S.D., Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, S.D., Poplar Schools, and Bell Gardens Senior High School in Bell Gardens, Calif., where she graduated in 1961. Shirley also completed two years of business administration at Haskell Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, and earned credits at the Fort Peck Community College in Poplar. She received a number of employment-related certificates. Shortly after graduating from Haskell Indian Junior College, Shirley married Patrick Clements of Crawford, Neb. A son, Patrick, was born on May 8, 1969, in Great Falls, Mont.; he lived mainly with his father. He passed away on Nov. 26, 2010, in Seattle, Wash. She also had a daughter she lost during childbirth. In 1974, Shirley married Alvin James, living in Nevada until the couple divorced in 1980. Shirley then returned to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.Shirley liked to do arts and crafts, making yarn God’s eyes and red willow dream-catchers. Her dream-catchers were selected for inclusion in a crafts brochure sponsored by the Fort Peck Assiniboine Council. She liked animals and was especially fond of her cat, “Two Face.” She liked to socialize with her friends and relatives. Shirley was a strong promoter of Native American issues. In 1980, a National Native American action called the “Longest Walk” was held where Native Americans walked from California to Washington, D.C., to address and present Native American issues. Shirley joined the walk in Nevada and walked from there to the nation’s capital.Shirley worked most as a secretary for the Bureau Indian Affair, NOAA, Fort Peck Community College and Wolf Point Community Organization. She also worked as a tribal liaison, a consultant and operated a screen-printing business with her husband for two years.She served as a secretary for the Wolf Point Community Organization in its formative years and was a strong supporter thereafter. Even though she was not fond of political events, when a family member was a candidate for elected office, she worked hard to help them get elected. She collected and had a small turtle collection she had assembled throughout the years. On June 22, 1984, she married George Redstone in Wolf Point where they lived together ever since.Shirley was preceded in death by her father, Fred Shields Sr.; mother, Francis Smith Hitchcock; older sister, Joy; son, Patrick; and a newborn baby girl. Just hours after her death, on July 12, 2013, Shirley’s older sister, June Stafne also passed away. Shirley is survived by her husband, George Redstone of Wolf Point; brothers, Caleb (Yvonne) Shields of Yakima, Wash., and Thomas “Stoney” (Julie) Anketell of Wolf Point; sisters, Rozanne Shields, Sharon “Sherry” Shields Sandra (Kenneth) Azure all of Wolf Point; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.A prayer service for Shirley and her sister June was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at the Blue Sky Ministries church in Wolf Point. Funeral services for both sisters were held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Blue Sky Ministries church in Wolf Point. Her sister June will be buried first, then Shirley’s remains will be taken to the Fort Kipp Cemetery, where she will be buried next to her father. Food or any other donations may be brought to the Blue Sky Ministries church in Wolf Point.Shirley’s husband George would like to offer a special thanks to Shirley’s sisters, Sherry and Rozanne; his sister, Mary; niece, Leann Redstone; and Artis Clark, who all helped him in keeping Shirley company during her final days. Thanks to JoAnn Hibl and Joby Flynn and the Faith Lutheran Home staff for the special care they provided Shirley while in their care. Thank all of you who offered prayers, to those who created artwork and offered condolences personally and on the social media, to those who offered to help in any way and to bring food. Your help throughout Shirley’s final days will be remembered. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.claytonstevensonchapel.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. (Paid Obituary)